supraglottic airway
Pronunciation: soo-pruh-GLOT-ik
Also written as: SGA — Supraglottic Airway
An airway management device, such as a laryngeal mask airway (LMA), that sits above the glottis to maintain a clear passage for ventilation without tracheal intubation.
Full Definition
Supraglottic airways (SGAs) are increasingly used in dental anesthesiology as an alternative to endotracheal intubation, particularly for shorter procedures. They are inserted into the hypopharynx to create a seal above the vocal cords, enabling positive-pressure ventilation or spontaneous breathing. Common types include the laryngeal mask airway (LMA), the i-gel, and the ProSeal LMA. Editors should note that 'supraglottic airway device' (SAD) and 'supraglottic airway' (SGA) are used interchangeably in literature; confirm the abbreviation used by the publication. The term is always written as two unhyphenated words attributively: 'supraglottic airway device', not 'supraglottic-airway device'.
Usage
Usage note: Do not hyphenate 'supraglottic' as a modifier. Distinguish clearly from 'endotracheal intubation' in procedural documentation.
In Context
- "An i-gel supraglottic airway was placed after induction to maintain the patient's airway during the procedure." — General anesthesia dental procedure report
- "The guidelines recommended a supraglottic airway device as a rescue option when mask ventilation fails." — Difficult airway management protocol